Xavier's hand brushed against hers as he opened the car door for her. For a split second, his grip was firm, steady, guiding her inside with an ease that made her heart stumble but she yanked her hand back the moment she sat down, refusing to let his touch linger.
His jaw ticked, though he said nothing, circling around to slide in beside her.
The ride was silent at first, only the soft hum of the engine filling the air. Athena angled herself toward the window, watching the blur of the trees, determined to put distance between them… even if only a few inches on a leather seat.
"Sit closer," Xavier's deep voice broke the quiet.
Athena didn't even glance his way. "I'm fine here." How dare he demand that from me!
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the faint curve of his mouth, that smug Alpha smirk she wanted to wipe clean.
The silence stretched again, thick and tense until suddenly, she gasped. "Oh my god!"
